"In one week, in just one week, we can completely annihilate the 300,000-strong Republican Army in Madrid." After a Spanish staff officer translated Rommel's opening remarks, the atmosphere of the pre-war meeting was raised to the highest level in an instant.
This pre-war meeting was suggested by Franco. The purpose of the meeting was to unify the next decisive action plan.
Rommel, who had been sitting still, suddenly proposed to take on the main attack mission, which gave everyone present a shot of stimulant. It was the most powerful corps on the entire Spanish battlefield, and it had been in gear since the beginning of the war.
On standby, the organization is complete. Everyone present couldn't help but be excited when they thought that the German-Spanish Combined Corps was about to be dispatched.
However, Rommel's goal of annihilating the main force of 300,000 Republican troops within a week is too far away...
Although everyone understands that once the main force of the 300,000 Republican Army in Madrid is wiped out, the National Army will have an overwhelming advantage over the Republican Army in terms of strength and can straighten the front from Madrid to Gradara.
Eradicating the huge protrusion of the Republican Army deep into the rear of the National Army's front lines allowed the National Army to further concentrate its forces. However, how easy is it to completely annihilate the 300,000 main force of the Republican Army?
After a senior Spanish staff officer under Franco marked the fighting situation between the two sides on the map, everyone's eyes fell on the German and Italian officials sitting on the left and right sides of the conference room.
As Spain's home battle, the National Army actually had to rely on the German and Italian expeditionary forces. Therefore, the real say in this meeting rested with the officer corps of Germany and Italy.
General Gambara, the commander of the Italian Expeditionary Force, was the first to speak: "I personally have reservations about General Rommel's strategic goal of annihilating the main force of the 300,000 Republican Army in Madrid within a week."
General Gambara pointed at the military map with a telescopic pole and said: "As we can see, the Republican Army has three circular defense lines outside Madrid. More than 100,000 National Guardsmen equipped with German weapons have been deployed in them."
When it comes to equipping German weapons, Gambara is particularly emphatic.
However, after listening to the translation, Rommel did not show any embarrassment. Instead, he made a gesture to indicate to Gambara to continue speaking.
Gambara was not polite and continued: "Even if the Italian troops move south from Burgos and the Spanish National Army moves north to Brunette, it will be difficult for us to completely wipe out this 300,000-strong army. Even if we can eventually
Even if we do it, it can’t be done within a week.”
"On the contrary, we can adopt a more stable strategy." Gambara changed the topic, moved the telescopic rod upward, pointed at a red circle and said: "Here, the important industrial areas of Basque and Ass on the coast of the Bay of Biscay
Turias. Once the Italian army under my command can jointly launch a northern battle with the five German armored divisions in the north, we can completely capture this place, thus cutting off the Spanish Republican Army's connection with France and further isolating the Republican Army."
Gambara deserves to be regarded as the most outstanding general in contemporary Italy. He discovered the loopholes in the northern deployment of the Republican Army and put forward a sure-fire combat policy. When this plan was translated to everyone, he immediately got the attention of everyone present.
Most of the Spanish National Army generals nodded in agreement.
"Work with the five German armored divisions in the north to attack the Basque capital Bilbao from both sides, and use a total of 10 divisions with a superior force of 150,000 to overwhelm the 60,000 Republican Army in the north. Then the troops will be divided into two groups and attack Santander respectively.
Launch a centripetal attack with Gijon, and finally complete the encirclement at Birbach. The estimated combat time is 30 to 60 days, and the goal of the campaign is to occupy the entire territory of Asturias."
The strategic plan that was translated was not from Gambara. It was Rommel who was sitting opposite Gambala with a smile on his face!
Franco, who was sandwiched between the German and Italian military officers, glanced at Gambara. The expression on the other person's face said everything. His plan had been revealed by the German commander!
Gambara swallowed and looked at the young commander from Germany again in surprise.
Originally, Gambara thought that Major General Rommel's military rank was probably obtained by flattering others like those in Italy. However, Rommel's inaction in the early stage and his inaction strengthened Gambara's view.
It wasn't until this moment that Gambara heard Rommel's plan accurately guessed with his own ears, that he believed that the ridiculously young German general in front of him was by no means a mediocre person!
Like Gambara's reaction, the Italian generals behind him were even more shocked.
This plan was formulated after repeated deliberation between them and the famous contemporary Italian general, General Gambara. However, the young German major general came up with it in an understatement.
Being able to do this at least shows that the other party's military quality is no worse than Gambala! Even...
Ignoring the surprise of the Italian officer corps, Rommel said with an expression that he had already thought of: "The strategic goal of this plan is indeed worth trying. But the problem is that once the Republican Army dispatches a group of reinforcements north to Burgos, they will
You can collect the broken troops on the front line and establish a blocking position. In this way, it will take at least one more week for your army to complete the campaign objectives, which is too long."
After recovering from the shock, Gambara stared into Rommel's eyes and insisted after listening to the translation: "This is worth it. Compared with your risky and radical plan, my plan is more stable and safer. War is always
The goal is the final victory. What matters in the competition between the two sides is the result, not which side’s tactics are more dazzling.”
Rommel did not choose to argue with Gambara, but nodded and said: "In any case, our plans actually do not conflict. I suggest that the five German weapon divisions in the north be temporarily placed under the command of the Italian Expeditionary Force Headquarters
, jointly implement General Gambara's strategic policy. And the German-Spanish Combined Corps under my command continues to implement the established plan. In this way, we can also share the pressure on each other."
This time, when the translator sent by Spain finished explaining Rommel's ideas, Gambara finally did not refute. After listening to the translation, Franco also happily stated that he would lead the main force of the National Army in Boso Bran on the southern front.
At the same time, Cote launched a large-scale response to the offensive of the German and Italian expeditionary forces.
"I agree."
"I agree."
...........
Commanders from three countries reached a rare high degree of consensus.
In this way, a three-way joint attack plan with no technical content was drawn up. In summary, the whole plan is very simple, that is, you fight yours and I fight mine, and we do it together without interfering with each other.
At this time, Rommel realized how wise it was for the Führer to give the Spanish German weapon divisions the right to mobilize. At least, he could command his six divisions of Spanish troops as he pleased.
When parting, Gambala and Rommel said a friendly farewell: "I hope that the future military cooperation between our two countries will be as smooth as it is today."
After hearing this, Rommel raised his eyebrows and said: "Oh? Such a coincidence, I also think that there will be no less cooperation between our two countries in the future."
There are some words that Rommel did not say. For example, in the future military cooperation between Germany and Italy, there will definitely be a leading party. And this leading party will definitely not be Italy.